The Delhi Dialogue III on the theme – ‘Beyond the First Twenty Years of India-ASEAN Engagement’ - hosted by MEA in partnership with the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and supported by Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, (ISEAS) Singapore, SAEA Group Research, Singapore and the Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia, (ERIA), Jakarta will take place in New Delhi on 3rd and 4th March 2011.
India’s relations with the ASEAN region lie at the heart of her ‘Look East Policy’ unveiled in 1992. Over the last two decades, India and ASEAN have steadily expanded and deepened their ties, through regular high level political and economic exchanges, including annual summit meetings. India’s membership of East Asian Summit (EAS) is reflective of a mutual desire to construct a strong edifice of partnership. The process received a further impetus with the operationalization of India-ASEAN FTA in goods last year. It is recognition of tremendous opportunities in the trade, investments and services available to both sides. Prime Minister’s three country Asia tour last October further drove home the importance that both sides attach to our mutually beneficial collaboration. It has also been decided that the first ever India ASEAN Summit would be held in India in 2012.
The previous two Delhi Dialogues were held in New Delhi in January 2009 and 2010 respectively. Delhi Dialogue III, will provide a useful platform for exchange of ideas for building a secure and prosperous region. Political leaders, senior officials, diplomats, business leaders, think tanks and academics from both sides, would be participating in the deliberations spread over two days. The Dialogue attempts to address four key aspects:
(a) Looking Towards 2012 and Beyond
(b) India-ASEAN Connectivity
(c) Enhancing India-ASEAN Cooperation in Critical Areas of Non-traditional Security Issues / Global Commons
(d) India in the ADMM Plus and the EAS Process: the Next Decade
The inaugural session would be addressed by External Affairs Minister Sh. S M Krishna and ASEAN leaders including Secretary General ASEAN, as well as, Foreign Ministers of Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. Outline of the programme is attached and can also be accessed at www.delhidialogue.com.